It's unimaginable that Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas or John Wayne would have endorsed a perfume at the height of their careers. But it's a new era where movie stars routinely are pitchmen/women for wrist watches (Leonardo DiCaprio for the Tag Heuer brand), cars (Laurence Fishburne for Kia) and fashion (Nicole Kidman for designer Jimmy Choo). And don't forget the stinky … [Read more...] about Huckster Antics Dull Stars
controversy
Product Placement Beef for ‘Transformers’ in China
A hotel chain in China is suing two product placement brokers claiming foul over a deal with Paramount Pictures release “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” The sci-fi movie will premiere China and in the U.S./Canada June 27. The big-budget fourth installment of the “Transformers” series is rated PG-13 in the U.S. Beijing Pangu Investment Co., which owns a dragon-shaped … [Read more...] about Product Placement Beef for ‘Transformers’ in China
Captain America Stalks Superman in 2016
Walt Disney Studios penciled in “Captain American 3” on May 6, 2016, setting up a faceoff with an untitled Superman-and-Batman movie already scheduled on that date by Warner Bros. “A lot can happen with jockeying dates,” writes Deadline.com, “especially this far out on the schedule. But it does seem as though Disney/Marvel is drawing a line in the sand against its DC Comics … [Read more...] about Captain America Stalks Superman in 2016
Penalties Tag ‘Olympus Fallen’ Ads
The Federal Communications Commission proposed $2 million in penalty fines connected with TV commercials for the movie “Olympus Has Fallen” because of use of the distinctive emergency alert system audio tones. FilmDistrict released the R-rated thriller a year ago and the $70 million production grossed $99 million domestically. Says an Adweek story by Katy Bachman: “Blatantly … [Read more...] about Penalties Tag ‘Olympus Fallen’ Ads
‘Noah’ Endures Extensive Research Screenings
Paramount Pictures “made and (audience) tested as many as half-a-dozen of its own” edited versions of the Biblical drama “Noah,” starring Russell Crowe, according to a lengthy article in the Hollywood Reporter. The retelling of the Noah’s Ark story of global flooding, which was produced for $125 million with New Regency Productions, is scheduled to premiere March … [Read more...] about ‘Noah’ Endures Extensive Research Screenings
Weinstein Aims ‘Philomena’ Beef At Critic
The Weinstein Co. bashes in a “New York Times” advertisement a professional film critic who pans its drama film “Philomena,” which triggered a battle in the press. Film distributor TWC urges readers to see the movie to “Decide For Yourself.” In a lengthy opinion article today, New York Post critic Kyle Smith defends his review. “I found the film lazy, contrived, with a … [Read more...] about Weinstein Aims ‘Philomena’ Beef At Critic
Critic: Political Correctness Topples Movies
While Hollywood frets that an unprecedented number of big budget films have flopped this year, an opinion article in the New York Post by Kyle Smith purports to answer why: two of the big disappointments so far injected Hollywood’s “political correctness.” The big-budget flops are Walt Disney Studios’ “The Lone Ranger” ($250 million production cost) and Sony Pictures’ “White … [Read more...] about Critic: Political Correctness Topples Movies
Carrey Won’t Publicize ‘Kick Ass 2’
In an unusual move, actor Jim Carrey is refusing to promote his role in the violent black comedy “Kick-ass 2” because of sudden moral qualms—in this case about the impact of screen violence in the real world. “I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence,” Carrey wrote on Twitter, referring to a school shooting … [Read more...] about Carrey Won’t Publicize ‘Kick Ass 2’
Advocacy Group Rips On-screen Smoking
An anti-smoking advocacy group asserts that audience impressions of characters using tobacco products doubled from 2010 to 2012 in youth-oriented films, “returning to levels of a decade ago.” That’s the upshot from Legacy, a Washington D.C.-based organization funded by tobacco companies in settlements over litigation with government agencies. The Legacy analysis multiplies … [Read more...] about Advocacy Group Rips On-screen Smoking
Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow
With the Oscar telecast tomorrow, let’s look at some of the many marketers that attach themselves to the awards without an official affiliation. “This year’s Oscar Celebrity Gifting Suite will be held at an undisclosed location in Beverly Hills,” says an enthusiastic press release for Inance skin care products. “Many celebrities have been waiting for this chance to sample … [Read more...] about Corporate Groupies Reach For Oscar Glow